If you’re a lady (or a gentlemen) you hate to be rude. And canceling dinner plans or any other social engagement at the last minute, even if you have a legit reason, is in very poor taste. While this is not the ideal situation, sometimes life just happens. If you absolutely must get out of your plans because something pressing came up (not just because you just don’t feel like it anymore) there are ways to do it gracefully, without offending anyone in the process.